Concert Photography

I'm new to photography and I'm thinking about getting into getting shots at concerts. I'm currently shooting with a Panasonic fz8 (which is digital if you didn't). Will that cut it or am I going to have to buy a new camera or lense? If so, any reccomendations for a camera or lense? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Check out the FAQ - but lemme tell you a little bit about my experiences with concert photography.

99% of the time you either can't, or SHOULDN'T use a flash. This means that your lenses have to be at the very most, f/2.8. You're probably going to have to bump your ISO to at least 800, probably 1600, depending on the lighting setup. Since grain is easier to fix than motion blur, I'd suggest going overkill on the ISO just go insure that all of your shots are at least in focus.

Depending on the concerts you're going to, getting close to the stage will either be:

1) easy
2) not easy
3) dangerous

If 1, then you really shouldn't need anything more than a 35-85mm.
If 2, then you will probably need an 85.
If 3, then you may need a really expensive lens - like the 70-200 f/2.8

The question is, are you willing to spend the money to buy a camera / lenses to get great shots? Do you want to be paid? Or is this just something for fun while you're at the concert? Do you have a photography background, or do you just love music? If you're just doing it for fun, I'm sure your current camera will do you just fine... but if you want to get some really kick *** shots that people will want to pay for, you're either going to have to become a god at using your current camera - or get another one.

i take lots of concert phtography, cause that's my job at the club lol, but i shoot a lot of hardcore metal bands with a lot of thrashing around and moshing, for a lens i use a 70-200 f/2.8, and a 20d, i mostly stay on stage, or i go in the space between the stage and the crowd. just make sure you don't get boring shots, don't be afraid to get close, and photoshop is your friend.

im shooting a concert this weekend for the first time too. im debating on using my 70-200 2.8 or my 50 1.4. would you recommend the 70-200 so i have that little extra bit and can zoom. i know i wont use antyhnig close to a 1.4 app for it anyways, so that really wouldn't be an advantage.